U.S. Declares $25 Million Bounty on Venezuela’s President Maduro for Drug Trafficking
U.S. places $25M bounty on Venezuela’s President Maduro for leading a drug cartel. Two top allies also wanted. Charges include narco-terrorist conspiracy.
The United States government has placed a $25 million bounty on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, officially declaring him wanted for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism-related charges.
In a Tuesday statement, the U.S. Department of State accused Maduro and top Venezuelan officials Diosdado Cabello Rondón and Vladimir Padrino López of leading the Cartel de los Soles a criminal organization recently designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The U.S. is offering:
- $25 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction
- $25 million for Cabello Rondón
- $15 million for Padrino López
According to U.S. authorities, the cartel has trafficked tons of cocaine into the United States, leveraging Venezuela's military and political infrastructure. A wanted poster describes Maduro as a "designated global terrorist cartel leader" charged with:
- Narco-terrorist conspiracy
- Cocaine importation
- Use of destructive weapons in a drug crime
"The cartel, run by the corrupt and contemptible Nicolás Maduro, is responsible for flooding the U.S. with illicit narcotics," the U.S. Treasury stated.
The announcement notably comes on the anniversary of Maduro’s controversial 2018 re-election, which the U.S. and several international allies have condemned as fraudulent. The U.S. has long refused to recognize Maduro’s presidency and has levied economic sanctions against his regime.
This marks an escalation in U.S. pressure on Venezuela’s ruling elite, potentially impacting diplomatic dynamics in Latin America and beyond.
